Roberto Martinez was on the offensive when John Stones was brought up in the post-match press conference at Barnsley

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Chelsea are expected to return with a fourth bid for the 21-year-old but the Catalan, not with anger but certainly the look of a man who is sick to his back teeth and plenty to get off his chest, told the Premier League champions, the authorities and Stones' advisors exactly what he thought.

And not for the first time this summer, he spoke for Everton.

Martinez did so with passion but with a calm authority he told the packed room that the club are not going to change their mind.

Stones is an Everton player today, he will be an Everton tomorrow and Martinez says he will be an Everton player on September 2.

Not quite a rallying cry, but what Martinez offered was a clear statement to Everton supporters that this club will not roll over for anyone.

In his own way, the Catalan was banging the Everton drum. He was also showing he means business.

“The situation with John is very clear,” he said.

John Stones had a difficult evening

“We care about him, we will protect him and give him everything we can to allow him to enjoy his football. During this tough period, we are going to be there for him.

“We have great ambition, great desire and great plans for John.

“We've got to a point now, in life and in football, where money can't buy everything. That's going to be a very strong statement from Everton; we want to be a winning side, and clearly John is a big part of the future.”

Stones endured a tough evening.

Jeered by his own fans, taunted by his old but sent out to help Everton progress into the next round of the Capital One Cup, his performance faltered.

Martinez insisted not but conceded the young defender was under “massive pressure” and rounded on the authorities for allowing the transfer window to overlap into the new season.